Tai Chi (太极), also called Tai Ji Quan (太极拳), literally means Great Ultimate Fist.
Tai Chi is a sequence of dynamic movements that combine soft and hard, fast and slow motions, in a relaxed and harmonised way with controlled breathing. The underlying theory of Tai Chi is the Taoist principle of Yin and Yang, summarised in the classic book of Yi Jing (易经, Book of Changes).
The gentle, and fast and powerful for those more advanced, nature of Tai Chi makes it suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
We teach Chen Style Tai Chi which is the oldest and parent form of the five main Tai Chi styles, characterised by lower stances, more explicit Silk Reeling (Chan Si Jin, 缠丝劲), and bursts of power (Fa Jin, 发劲).
Benefits of Tai Chi
Tai Chi is an excellent and holistic system of training for health and general wellbeing. It has been proven to:
- Increase energy levels
- Maintain or increase flexibility, strength and vitality
- Improve posture, coordination and balance
- Develop an ability to meditate, relax and let go of tension
- Help deal with stress and depression
- Develop skills for self defence
In addition, it is a lifetime learning and journey, if you want to, and you can engage in
Tai Chi training till you are 100 years old or more!
More information on Tai Chi
The NHS has done a lot of research on Tai Chi. Read more information on the NHS Choice, A guide to Tai Chi.